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. 1999 Jul;81(1):F64–F66. doi: 10.1136/fn.81.1.f64

Safety and effectiveness of BCG vaccination in preterm babies

S Thayyil-Sudhan, A Kumar, M Singh, V K Paul, A K Deorari
PMCID: PMC1720954  PMID: 10375366

Abstract

AIM—To assess the cell mediated immune response to BCG vaccine in preterm babies.
METHODS—Sixty two consecutive preterm babies born at < 35 weeks of gestation were randomly allocated into two groups. Babies in group A were vaccinated early at 34-35 weeks and group B were vaccinated late at 38-40 weeks of postconceptional age. The two groups were similar in terms of: gestational age (mean (SD) 33.1 (1.1) and 33 (1.2) weeks, respectively); birthweight 1583 (204) and 1546(218) g; neonatal problems; socioeconomic status; and postnatal weight gain. The cell mediated immune response to BCG was assessed using the Mantoux test and the lymphocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) 6-8 weeks after BCG vaccination. Induration of >5 mm after the Mantoux test was taken as a positive response.
RESULTS—There was no significant difference in the tuberculin conversion rates (80% and 80.7%, respectively), positive LMIT (86.6% and 90.3%, respectively), or BCG scar (90.0% and 87.1%, respectively) among the two groups.
CONCLUSIONS—Prematurity seems to be an unlikely cause for poor vaccine uptake. Preterm babies can be effectively vaccinated with BCG at 34-35 weeks of postconceptional age, the normal time of discharge in a developing country.



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Selected References

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